Generally Tolerant, But With Limits:
* Establishment of the Church of England: Elizabeth I sought a middle ground, establishing the Church of England as a moderate Protestant church. This was a compromise between Catholicism and radical Protestantism.
* Suppression of Catholicism: While Elizabeth was tolerant of Protestants, she was determined to suppress Catholicism. This led to the persecution of Catholic priests and the execution of those deemed a threat to the crown, such as Mary, Queen of Scots.
* Puritanism: Some Protestants, known as Puritans, felt the Church of England wasn't reformed enough and sought further changes. They were generally tolerated, but faced increasing pressure as their demands grew.
Specifics:
* Clergy: Protestant clergy who conformed to the Church of England were generally safe. Those who refused to conform, known as "nonconformists", faced fines, imprisonment, and even exile.
* Lay People: Most ordinary Protestants could practice their faith relatively freely, as long as they remained loyal to the crown and didn't openly challenge the established order.
* Social Status: Wealthy and influential Protestants were often favoured by the crown, while the lower classes were more vulnerable to persecution.
* Regional Variations: The treatment of Protestants varied geographically. Areas with strong Catholic populations experienced more persecution, while areas with more Protestant populations were generally more tolerant.
Key Events:
* The Marian Persecutions (1553-1558): During the reign of Mary I, thousands of Protestants were persecuted, with many burned at the stake. This period of intense persecution fueled Protestant sentiment and made Elizabeth's religious policy more cautious.
* The Elizabethan Religious Settlement (1559): This established the Church of England as the official religion, with its own distinctive liturgy and doctrine.
* The Act of Uniformity (1559): This required all clergy to conform to the new Church of England doctrines and practices.
* The Act of Supremacy (1559): This affirmed Elizabeth I as the supreme head of the Church of England, further consolidating her power and authority.
Overall:
Elizabeth I's reign saw a period of relative religious tolerance for Protestants, with the Church of England as the established religion. While many Protestants enjoyed freedom of worship, those who deviated significantly from the accepted doctrines, particularly Catholics and radical Puritans, faced varying degrees of persecution.